WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY 2021!

THEME: SAFE FOOD TODAY FOR A HEALTHY TOMORROW

On Monday, 7^th June 2021 Kenya and the world over marked the World Food Safety Day (WFSD). In the commemoration webinar, Mr. Rikki Agudah, the CEO, Society of Crop Agribusiness Advisors of Kenya (SOCAA) reiterated that; ‘everyone is a consumer, and all of us need to take ownership in the food safety issues by working towards solutions.’ In heeding to this call the Anti-Counterfeit Authority joins the organizers of the WFSD, 2021 in the theme and rallying call of the day, SAFE FOOD TODAY FOR A HEALTHY TOMORROW!

The commemoration was aimed at drawing attention and inspiring action to help prevent, detect and manage food borne risks, contribute to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. The theme, ‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’, demonstrates that production and consumption of safe food has immediate and long-term benefits for people, the planet and the economy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that there is a systemic connection between the health of people, animals, plants, the environment and the economy. This nexus helps us to meet the needs of the day and of the future.

Combating counterfeiting and related forms of illicit trade in the agricultural sector would greatly enhance food safety and security by partially addressing the perennial food scarcity in the country that for a long time has been affecting Kenyans. Food Security is at the heart of Government policies being one of the Big Four Agenda. Higher agricultural output means higher incomes for farmers and food resilience in Kenyans’ households. Curbing counterfeiting in the food production chain contributes to food safety and security, since the use of counterfeit inputs may lead to chemical residues and other harmful deposits and contaminants where ingredients and or packaging of pesticides and other inputs used are compromised. Counterfeit seeds and pesticides lead to low productivity in agriculture in both quantities and quality.

In February and March 2021, the Authority conducted an intensive county based farmers’ sensitization and outreach program in Trans-Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties, the country’s food basket. The program objective being empowering farmers with information for better vigilance and reporting on counterfeit agricultural inputs, towards enhancing crops and livestock production. The outreach activities addressed the market flows of counterfeits and illicit agricultural inputs, which continue to pose a risk to food safety and security in the country. These subsequently deny farmers of the expected output in quantity and quality of their agricultural endeavors.

The production and consumption of safe food have immediate and long-term benefits for people, the economy and the planet. The availability of safe and healthy food for all can be sustained into the future by embracing digital innovations, advancing scientific solutions as well as honoring traditional knowledge that has stood the test of time; additionally, the food system needs to produce enough safe food for all Kenyans.  

Processed food is among the most counterfeited products in the market. These include milk and milk products, bottled water, packaged foods e.g. cereals, honey, spices and other additives, oils, juices and alcoholic beverages among others. Generally, counterfeit food is made with no regard for safety standards, quality or efficiency; it may contain correct ingredients but varying quantities or may be lacking important ingredients; yet the trademarks e.g. the trade names used are deceptively similar to the genuine one. This form of counterfeiting is also common in fertilizers, seeds, herbicides and pesticides, all important inputs in the food production cycle.

Counterfeiting may also be through manufacture of similar product and adoption of the known protected intellectual property or by packaging of counterfeit product in genuine materials. Counterfeiting of food and beverages is a problem that has escalated alongside growth of global marketing channels and distribution of genuine products, that also opens doors to unscrupulous manufacturers and traders.

The Authority supports initiatives towards global food safety and works tirelessly to enforce the Anti-Counterfeit Act 2008. Food related seizures by ACA enforcement valued at Kshs. 4,843,940.00 in the year 2020. This includes foliar feeds, herbicides, and seed, as well as processed foods like additives.  ACA continues to pursue collaborative partnerships in awareness programs and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This enhances health and safety of consumers through seizures and deterrent measures that prevent counterfeits from finding their way into the market or at the consumers’ door step.

The Authority encourages the manufacturers and industrialists, ranging from MSMEs to Multinationals, to protect their intellectual property, and collaborate with ACA in surveillance, inspections and seizures of infringing products. ACA also continues to engage, the entire supply chain players and consumers for sensitizations and intelligence gathering as appropriate. Food safety is a shared responsibility between Governments, producers and consumers. Everyone has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and healthy. Let us join hands to curb counterfeiting towards food safety and security in our country. We at the Authority are committed to playing our part in ensuring no food related counterfeits find their way into the Kenyan market.